Capromorelin (Entyce) for Pets in 2025: Vet-Approved Appetite Support for Dogs & Cats 🐶🐱🍽️

By Dr Duncan Houston

💡 Capromorelin is a prescription appetite stimulant that mimics the natural hunger hormone ghrelin. In 2025, it's widely used for pets experiencing appetite loss due to illness, kidney disease, or recovery from surgery. It helps pets eat better during recovery or while managing chronic disease—without sedation or forced feeding. 🍗

🔬 How Capromorelin Works

Capromorelin binds to ghrelin receptors in the hypothalamus (a hunger-regulating part of the brain), tricking the body into feeling hungry. It also promotes the release of growth hormone, which can support weight maintenance and healing. 🧠🍽️

📋 Veterinary Uses in 2025

• 🐶 Appetite support in dogs recovering from surgery, illness, or cancer
• 🐱 Kidney-supportive appetite stimulation in cats (especially older cats with CKD)
• 🛌 Nutritional support during diagnostic workup or palliative care

💊 How It’s Administered

• Liquid oral solution—once daily use
• Vanilla-flavored for ease of dosing in picky eaters
• Typically given throughout the illness period—not just on low appetite days

⏱️ Onset & Effectiveness

• Appetite boost typically within 1–2 hours of dosing
• Full response observed over several days of consistent use
• Works in ~60% of dogs, ~67% of cats—monitor response with your vet

😀 Common Side Effects

• 🤢 Vomiting, diarrhea, drooling (usually mild/transient)
• 💦 Increased thirst or stomach gurgling
• 🐾 In high doses: swollen feet (seen in long-term safety studies)

⚠️ When to Avoid Capromorelin

• ❌ Diabetic pets—may raise blood glucose
• ❌ Untreated Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
• ⚠️ Use caution in cats with heart disease

🔗 Drug Interactions

• ⬆️ Prolonged activity with: erythromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, diltiazem, cimetidine
• ⬇️ Reduced effect with: phenobarbital

📊 Monitoring & Long-Term Use

• Check for response after a few days—continue if helpful
• Some pets may need capromorelin indefinitely for chronic illness
• Stop if no benefit seen in 5–7 days or if side effects arise

📱 Ask A Vet App Integration

• 📆 Daily medication reminders
• 🍴 Appetite tracking tool for response monitoring
• 📞 Live vet chat for dosing advice and adjustments

✅ Summary from Dr Duncan Houston

• Capromorelin safely stimulates appetite in pets recovering from illness or managing chronic disease
• Especially effective in cats with kidney disease and picky senior dogs 🐾
• Needs consistent daily dosing to work best—don’t use it only on bad days
• Watch for side effects and coordinate with your vet for best results

🐶🐱🍽️ In 2025, capromorelin continues to be an invaluable tool in veterinary medicine—giving pets the appetite they need to fight, heal, and thrive. With guidance from your vet and tools like the Ask A Vet app, you can support your pet’s nutritional needs every step of the way. 🩺